全國中小學科展

二等獎

小花蔓澤蘭活性成分Dihydromilanolide誘導胃癌細胞凋亡與自噬性死亡

外來入侵種小花蔓澤蘭繁殖速度太快,使台灣本土生環境及多樣性受到破壞。我們研究發現,小花蔓澤蘭葉萃取物會誘導人類胃癌(AGS)細胞毒性;以HPLC分析及分離出小花蔓澤蘭葉萃取物的活性成分Dihydromilanolide (DHK),發現DHK會毒殺胞胃癌、卵巢癌、乳癌與血癌細胞,其中以胃癌(AGS)細胞毒殺性最強。此外,抗氧化劑N-acetylcysteine可減緩小花蔓澤蘭葉萃取物及DHK對胃癌細胞毒殺性,推測是透過活性氧化物(ROS)來毒殺胃癌細胞。我們亦發現,DHK可與抗癌藥物(Doxorubicin、Cisplatin或Paclitaxel)對胃癌細胞產生協同作用。DHK作用胃癌細胞會誘導Caspase-3增加、PARP蛋白裂解、促凋亡Bax增加及抑凋亡Bcl-2減少;產生酸性囊泡(AVOs)、促自噬LC3-II及Beclin-1蛋白增加,且加入自噬抑制劑 3-MA可保護DHK誘導胃癌細胞死亡。推論 DHK可誘發胃癌細胞凋亡(Apoptosis)及自噬性死亡(Autophagy)。總結,小花蔓澤蘭與活性成分Dihydromilanolide (DHK) 具抗胃癌功效且與抗癌藥物產生協同作用,可開發成抗癌的藥品或保健食品。

Co-movement!秋颱共伴效應之深入探討

共伴效應發生的颱風時常帶來嚴重災情,促使我們投入對秋颱共伴效應的分析。利用地面風場、輻合輻散場、衛星雲圖、測站氣壓雨量等統計資料以及颱風路徑等資料分析後,顯示在中央氣象局分類的五號、六號、九號路徑的颱風,發生共伴效應的比例較其他路經之颱風高。在風場與輻合輻散場之比較得知共伴會隨著颱風環流與東北季風相對位置的接近而產生增強的現象,再用地面天氣圖與雨量統計資料確認高壓靠海導致東北季風含水氣量的增加也會加強共伴雲帶降水。利用數十個颱風與六個測站雨量與風向的變化結果相互比較後,得知地形風向效應也會導致當地瞬時及總降雨量增減,而風向與地形走向之夾角越趨近於垂直影響雨量的效果則越顯著,而颱風路徑與共伴地形效應也有極大關聯性。最後利用高空比濕場驗證垂直上空氣舉升效應,確認風向輻合確實會造成氣塊舉升。

The critical role of the first discovered detached pharynges during the successful predation of Penghu Oyster Leech

澎湖牡蠣養殖受扁形動物危害嚴重但缺乏相關研究。本研究首次採集活體澎湖蚵蛭Stylochus ( Imogine ) orientalis splendida Bock, 1913進行捕食行為研究。觀察澎湖蚵蛭捕食過程分為攻擊期、捕食期和消化期,並首次報導攻擊期中發現新型的離體咽。離體咽具負趨光性( P <0.01 ** )能朝向牡蠣殼內暗處移動,使其開閉殼頻率與死亡率增加。離體咽也顯著影響文蛤死亡率 ( P <0.01** ),20條以上離體咽即可導致文蛤死亡率 60% 以上,造成文蛤外套膜萎縮,且與數量呈高度正相關 ( R2 = 0.964 ),外套膜切片顯示離體咽可導致外套膜肌肉變細且形成許多空洞。經離體咽均質和硫酸銨沉澱法萃取蛋白質後,通過SDS蛋白質電泳比較澎湖蚵蛭離體咽、咽、與其他部位的粗萃物,分離出目標蛋白質,以MALDI-TOF質譜儀分析分子量約為10 kDa。證據顯示離體咽是蚵蛭成功捕食牡蠣的重要關鍵,亦是海洋扁蟲從未被報導過的新行為。

Absorption of Sr2+ at low concentrations using C.moniliferum-- With the aim of practical use of contaminated water processing of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station

We are conducting research for the purpose of treating contaminated water generated by the nuclear accident with C.moliniferum. In previous research, the school seniors examined whether there is a difference in absorption by changing the wavelength of the LED to establish efficient Sr2+ absorption conditions. As a result, the red wavelength was found to be effective for the efficient Sr2+ absorption of C. moniliferum. Therefore, in this study, in order to verify how much Sr is actually absorbed into the cell, the amount of Sr absorption using an atomic absorption photometer is quantified, and the previous research has shown that red is effective for the efficient Sr2+ absorption. The wavelength was considered to be effective because of photosynthesis, and was observed with a scanning electron microscope (SEM) using the photosynthesis inhibitor (DCMU). As a result, it was clarified that C. moniliferum absorbs Sr intracellularly, and photosynthesis was related to absorption.

探討眼睛對於不同顏色赫曼方格的視錯覺

我們的視覺能力是大腦將感官所觀察到的物體進行辨認,由於物體受到形狀、線條和顏色的變化,加上人們的生理、心理原因,而產生與實際不符合的視錯覺。為探討眼睛對不同顏色赫曼方格的視錯覺,我們以標準化的情境和RGB 色環中的對比色、相近色和互換色定義電腦上赫曼方格顏色,進行實驗。研究發現黑白配色所看到鬼影人數最多,而綠紅配色卻較少人看到鬼影。因此我們用側抑制現象與感光細胞進行討論、分析,得出傳統黑白赫曼方格,受到側抑制作用的影響最為明顯,而其餘顏色變因的赫曼方格,對於紅藍綠視錐細胞和桿狀細胞會有不同程度的刺激,產生更複雜生理錯覺。此外我們延伸去探討不同顏色的格子襯衫對於受試者消費行為的影響,研究發現生理視錯覺會影響受試者的消費行為,錯覺較少比較多人願意購買;除此之外社會觀感與年齡層皆會影響受試者的消費行為。

Potential Diagnosis of Cancerous Cells Through Utilising Optical Spectroscopy

Cancer is responsible for an estimated 9.6 million deaths in 2018. Deaths from cancer worldwide are projected to reach over 13 million in 2030. Thus, developing a device that has the capability to solve today’s toughest global challenge is crucial by utilizing a simple yet robust approach - “SEEING THE UNSEEABLE” through bold innovation. Although removing cancer is much more effective than either radiation or chemotherapy, when unseen residual cancer cells remain, they could grow back into tumour overtime. The reoccurrence of cancer contributes to a greater risk of death. Hence, launching a system that is able to distinguish between the cancerous cell and normal cell is ultimately essential to make sure no cancer is left behind during surgery. This robust optical system is established with quantitative approach by exploring the integration of an algorithm into the developed software. The end result of this device has the capability to provide users an accurate numerical pH value. The developed system is integrated with the smart IoT gateway capability whereby this powerful analytical device is incorporated with the real-time monitoring, data transformation and data analyzer. Harnessing the power of technology lets us fight cancer better. Each time a pathologist analyzes tissue after operation, it can take up 2 to 3 days because the tissue has to be frozen, thinly sliced, and stained so it can be viewed under the microscope during the process of biopsy. Thus, it is crucial to invent this Surgeons’ VisionMetric device which has an IoT-based microcontroller that is capable of providing real-time numerical value on-site.

Design and Prototyping of a Low-Cost Ventilator for Rural Hospitals

This report includes the design and prototyping of a portable automatic bag-valve mask (BVM), or commonly known as the Ambu bag. This development is for use in emergency transport, resource-poor environments, and mass casualty cases like the COVID-19 pandemic. This device replaces the need for human operators whose job is to squeeze the BVMs for extended periods of time. The prototype is made from a stainless-steel skeleton, measuring 470 x 240 x 230 mm, with the addition of acrylic coverings. A repurposed motor from a car is used to drive the squeezing arm. The speed of the arm for inspiration and expiration along with the pausing time between each breath can be adjusted with this prototype. It also features an LCD screen to display the arm speed, along with real-time pressure graph displayed on both phones and computer monitors. For future versions, an app is to be developed to enable the control of the automatic bag-valve mask from phones and tablets, further creating ease for users and increasing portability. Additionally, important requirements will be added: alarm system for over pressurization, control for inspiration to expiration ratio, number of breaths per minute, control for tidal volume, pressure relief valve, and assist-control mode. The cost of this prototype is approximately $430. With this design of an automatic BVM, it allows for the production of a ventilator-like technology that will be able to perform main functions of basic ventilators at a fraction of the current cost.

以蛋白質工程開發新穎酵素於高尿酸檢測及降解藥物

尿酸氧化酶參與嘌呤代謝,然人類尿酸氧化酶基因已退化,易使過量尿酸沉積於關節造成痛風,近年來微生物源尿酸氧化酶之酵素工程改良,逐漸被應用於尿酸檢測與降解藥物,因此具極高研發價值。 本研究針對微生物源尿酸氧化酶進行基因體探勘,篩選出抗輻射奇異球菌(Deinococcus radiodurans)及耐熱雙球桿菌(Thermobispora bispora)源尿酸氧化酶基因,以蛋白質異源表現與金屬螯合層析法純化取得重組尿酸氧化酶,進行酵素動力學、熱穩定分析、結構解析、金屬離子耐受性分析與尿酸檢測應用。在最佳反應條件下,抗輻射奇異球菌源酵素於30 ℃之Km與Kcat為679.03 μM, 30.33 s-1;耐熱雙球桿菌源酵素於70 ℃之Km與Kcat為191.31 μM, 12.85 s-1。此外,我們已解析耐熱雙球桿菌源尿酸氧化酶結構,發現其羧基端之特異性構型可能與熱穩定性有關。本研究以此兩種尿酸氧化酶為酵素工程改良標的,盼未來能研發作為快速篩檢與臨床治療之生物替代藥物。

藥物骨架Chromeno [4, 3-b] pyrrolidine的合成方法之探討

Chromene(色烯或苯並吡喃)或chromane(色原烷或2.3-二氫苯并哌喃)及pyrrolidine(吡咯烷)的衍生物是許多藥物和具有生理活性天然物的重要結構單元。含有chromene或chromane的化合物在消炎、抗真菌的研究中表現出良好的活性,而pyrrolidine出現於尼古丁等化合物中。本研究利用亞胺葉立德前驅物與米氏酸衍生物在鹼性催化劑的作用下,篩選出溶劑、催化劑、當量數,找出合成Chromeno [4,3-b] pyrrolidine產率最高的條件。利用此優化條件,改變不同的受質,在苯環上改變不同取代基,探討其反應性,增加其未來應用的多樣性,嘗試利用掌性催化劑,合成出具有光學活性的產物,並建立資料庫。

Improving Particle Classification In Wimp Dark Matter Detection Using Neural Networks

In all experiments for detection of WIMP dark matter, it is essential to develop a classifier that can distinguish potential WIMP events from background radiation. Most often, clas- sifiers are developed manually, via physical modeling and empirical optimization. This is problematic for two reasons: it takes a great deal of time and effort away from developing the experiment, and the resulting classifiers often perform suboptimally (which means that a greater amount of expensive run time is required to obtain a confident experimental result). Machine learning has the potential to automate this and accelerate experimentation, and also to detect patterns that humans cannot. However, two major challenges, which are shared among several dark matter experiments, stand in the way: impure calibration data, which hinders training of models, and unpredictable physical dynamics within the detector itself. My objective was to develop a set of machine learning techniques that address these two problems, and thus more efficiently generate highly accurate classifiers. I was able to obtain raw data for two dark matter experiments which exhibit these challenges: the PICO-60 bubble chamber [2], and the DEAP-3600 liquid argon scintillator [1]. For each experiment, I developed and compared three general-purpose algorithms intended to resolve its inherent challenge (impurity and unpredictable dynamics, respectively). In PICO-60, background alpha and WIMP-like neutron calibration datasets are used for training; however, there is an impurity of 10% alphas in the neutron set. While a conventional classifier was developed (and is believed to be 100% accurate), machine learning in the form of a supervised neural network (NN) has also been previously explored, because of the benefits of automation. Unfortunately, it achieved a mean accuracy of only 80.2% – not usable as a practical replacement for conventional methods in future iterations of the experiment. In DEAP-3600, photons are absorbed by a wavelength shifting medium and re-emitted in an unpredictable direction, before being detected by one of 255 photomultiplier tubes (PMTs) around the spherical detector. The randomness severely limits the accuracy of conventional classifiers; in a simulation, the best so far removes 99.6% of alpha background, while also (undesirably) removing 91.0% of WIMP events. Because of physical limitations, simulated data is used for calibration, with 30 real-world experimental events available for testing. I have written a research paper [11] about my work on PICO-60, which has been approved by the PICO collaboration and pre-published at https://arxiv.org/abs/1811.11308. It is currently undergoing peer review for publication in Computer Physics Communications. All PICO researchers are listed on my paper for their work on the original PICO-60 experi- ment. They did not contribute to this study; I completed and documented it independently.